A few tips to keeping that New Years Resolution

A few tips to keeping that New Years Resolution

So, you’re going to give it another try? It’s a new year and you’re tired of the same o’, same o’ huh?

You are not alone. You, and I, are just like millions of Americans that will join in making promises to change habits in 2010. However, history shows that most, if not almost all will fail. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

Admit your flaws

This is first and foremost. However, it is also the most difficult. The human psyche is built for self defense. We are made to lie to ourselves. This is an ego trait that has been made worse by our American way of life. In our strive for “happiness” we medicate ourselves with food, drugs, things and yes, even little white lies we tell ourselves.

The bottom line is that if your car has a mechanical problem, you have to identify the problem before you can buy the part and fix it. It doesn’t do us any good to tell ourselves that the car won’t start because the oil needs changed. It’s what I call the “ostrich effect”. Simply putting your head in the sand won’t make things go away.

So evaluate carefully. If you originally thought you eat “ok” then you probably need to take it a step further. If you originally thought you needed to lose “10-15 lbs” then you honestly probably need to lose 30-40.



Convince yourself that you deserve what you seek

One of the most prominent factors in those who fail is the ability to self sabotage! Quit it!! Tell yourself that you deserve what it is you’re going after. If you have to, look yourself in the mirror and tell yourself this is what you want, and you are going to get it. Expect nothing less of yourself.


Plan

Next, plan. You wouldn’t take off on a hike through the wilderness without a map. (I couldn’t use a road trip as an example because someone would undoubtedly say something about GPS! Lol) Getting where you’re going is NEVER near as important as the journey there. Learn as much as you can and put together steps that will get you to where you want to go. Then, write it down! Any organization throughout history has always written plans and ideas out. It’s a proven measure to help ensure success. Life can get us busy and small details can be forgotten.

Also, document you’re starting point. Take pictures, notes, whatever you need to remember why you needed the change in the first place.


Organize


Get organized. Throw out anything that chains you to the old. Get out all that brings you into the new. Get your routine set. Most importantly, follow that routine!!!!!



Read and re-check your plan daily

Stay in the moment. Keep your promise and plan a priority. Read and re-evaluate daily. Constantly check your progress. Go back and look at those notes and pictures from before you started. Use that to help motivate.


Seek, find, and surround yourself with motivation

Let’s face it, life is one huge distraction. There are so many things that occupy our time. As Americans, our attentions spans don’t last any longer than a 30 second TV commercial. Beat yourself at your own game. Leave post it notes, send yourself emails, set reminders on your phone, set your homepage to a related website, go to chat rooms and discussion boards, find new friends at work that share the same goals you do, etc. Leave yourself a trail of breadcrumbs to constantly find your way back to your path should you stray.



Pick yourself up when you fall


The odds are, at some point, you will slip. It’s just life. No one is perfect. However, don’t fall back into your old habits just because you strayed a little. When a baby learns to walk, it continually falls over and over. Just imagine if that baby NEVER tried to get back up after it fell? It would never walk. Stay the course. Don’t get discouraged. And many times, when we slip, it seems impossible to restart. Just do it. You’ll be glad you did.


Be proud and hare your success with others

Share it! Tell everyone. If someone doesn’t like it, tell them they don’t have to listen. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Because believe it or not, you ARE worthy of inspiring others. For every ten people you share it with there may only be one person you will inspire but isn’t that enough? That one person may go on to inspire other people, and they may go on to inspire others and so on. It’s amazing the ripples that a small stone thrown into a quiet pond will make!!!


Lose your excuses


Know what the difference between and excuse and a reason is? A reason is used to explain why you previously did something in your life. An excuse is used to continue to do those things. Lose the excuses. Because, to be honest, when it all comes down to it……… you either do, or you don’t, period.


I wish all of you success in anything and everything you do in 2010 and beyond.

Bradley